"Among all these very dubious witnesses, there are six to seven USA Today editors and reporters in a quarter-mile stretch of highway at the most crucial point to see the alleged impact, the most controversial event in history," Marquis says, stretched back in his chair, beer in hand. Ranke, eager to voice his own suspicions, nods his head vigorously in agreement while simultaneously scrolling through myriad aerial photographs of the Pentagon on his laptop.

"Imagine six of your co-workers all in the same place, and you're there to sell this event," Marquis continues. "What the fuck? All these people were allegedly in that area on the way to work. Trust me, when you take all their accounts and examine them individually as a researcher, you realize all these motherfuckers are lying."

"We can prove [Walter] is a liar," Ranke says.

John Gilhooley

Aldo Marquis, Craig Ranke and the tools of their truth-sleuthing trade

John Gilhooley

Aldo Marquis and Craig Ranke's map of the "real" vs. "official" story

"You want me to cut to the chase?" Marquis interrupts. "He's an operative. One hundred percent, without a doubt. A deep-cover operative or asset."

"The point is, it's not obvious until you dig," Ranke says.

"They are deep cover," Marquis says, shaking his head in resignation. "They have to be. It's obvious."